Post by pitbull on Nov 9, 2005 12:15:38 GMT -5
As I read some of the replies to the posts that I have made on this forum, they are similar to some of the comments that I have heard from Christians in other avenues of life. I think it comes from either a misunderstanding of what a preacher is and the fact that Christians have been heavily influenced by the relative ethics teachings of the world.
In the Gospel of John, three things are said about John the Baptist that are true of every genuine servant of God. And I’m convinced that if these three things were kept in mind by every true preacher and every believer, much of the difficulty being experienced in our churches today would be avoided. Read John 1:6-8 to see what the Apostle John wrote. There are three significant things mentioned in these verses about John the Baptist.
First, we are told that “there was a man”. He was a human being, subject to the same weaknesses and limitations as other people. John the Baptist was no angle; he was no supernatural creation; he was no hyperphysical emissary from the throne of God. Rather, as the record states it, “There was a man”. It never fails to amaze me when I hear one of the following comments:
· “You are a preacher. You don’t ever have problems in your life.”
· “You are a preacher. You don’t face temptation like us.”
· “You are a preacher. You can’t possible understand what I am going through.”
I guess people forget that preachers are nothing more than sinners saved by grace, just flesh and blood like them.
Second, we are told, “that there was a man sent from God”. Although a man with human limitations, John was distinguished and set apart from others in that he was a specially chosen one. He was “a man sent from God”. This is where the preacher gets his authority. He depends upon God and the Word of God. People who don’t understand the divine authority of this office will come up with comments like the following:
· “That is just your personal opinion.”
· “That is just your interpretation.”
· “Who are you to make such a bold statement?”
· “What makes you think that you are right?”
And the list goes on, but you get the point. This is due to the lack of respect for the office and the authority given to it by God.
And third, we are told that “there was a man sent from God…to bear witness of the Light”. He came to preach Christ, the Light of the world. That was John’s mission. Verse 8 says, “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” This is the job of the preacher. He is to boldly preach (Isaiah 58:1; 2 Timothy 4:2) the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Acts 16:10; Romans 1:15; 10:15; 15:20), the Jesus Christ (Acts 5:42; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 4:5), and the Bible as a whole (2 Timothy 4:2) – “precept upon precept” (Isaiah 28:10, 13-14) rather than personal opinions or preferences or private interpretations. Those who are under conviction or those who don’t like what the Bible clearly teaches, are the ones who attack the preacher for his message, especially when it is Scriptural with the passages and references being cited. I have noticed this many, many times over the 13 years I have been blessed to be a preacher.
From this passage in John 1, we learn the following things about John the Baptist:
1. He was a man.
2. He was a man sent from God.
3. He was a man sent from God to bear witness of the Light.
You keep these three things in mind when replying to my posts as well as communicating with other preachers [pastors, evangelists, missionaries, etc.], you will see God bless you so much more greatly due to your Biblical respect for this calling. That is my challenge to you today.
Teaching educates, preaching edified.
Teaching informs, preaching inspires.
Teaching communicates, preaching challenges.
In the Gospel of John, three things are said about John the Baptist that are true of every genuine servant of God. And I’m convinced that if these three things were kept in mind by every true preacher and every believer, much of the difficulty being experienced in our churches today would be avoided. Read John 1:6-8 to see what the Apostle John wrote. There are three significant things mentioned in these verses about John the Baptist.
First, we are told that “there was a man”. He was a human being, subject to the same weaknesses and limitations as other people. John the Baptist was no angle; he was no supernatural creation; he was no hyperphysical emissary from the throne of God. Rather, as the record states it, “There was a man”. It never fails to amaze me when I hear one of the following comments:
· “You are a preacher. You don’t ever have problems in your life.”
· “You are a preacher. You don’t face temptation like us.”
· “You are a preacher. You can’t possible understand what I am going through.”
I guess people forget that preachers are nothing more than sinners saved by grace, just flesh and blood like them.
Second, we are told, “that there was a man sent from God”. Although a man with human limitations, John was distinguished and set apart from others in that he was a specially chosen one. He was “a man sent from God”. This is where the preacher gets his authority. He depends upon God and the Word of God. People who don’t understand the divine authority of this office will come up with comments like the following:
· “That is just your personal opinion.”
· “That is just your interpretation.”
· “Who are you to make such a bold statement?”
· “What makes you think that you are right?”
And the list goes on, but you get the point. This is due to the lack of respect for the office and the authority given to it by God.
And third, we are told that “there was a man sent from God…to bear witness of the Light”. He came to preach Christ, the Light of the world. That was John’s mission. Verse 8 says, “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” This is the job of the preacher. He is to boldly preach (Isaiah 58:1; 2 Timothy 4:2) the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Acts 16:10; Romans 1:15; 10:15; 15:20), the Jesus Christ (Acts 5:42; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 4:5), and the Bible as a whole (2 Timothy 4:2) – “precept upon precept” (Isaiah 28:10, 13-14) rather than personal opinions or preferences or private interpretations. Those who are under conviction or those who don’t like what the Bible clearly teaches, are the ones who attack the preacher for his message, especially when it is Scriptural with the passages and references being cited. I have noticed this many, many times over the 13 years I have been blessed to be a preacher.
From this passage in John 1, we learn the following things about John the Baptist:
1. He was a man.
2. He was a man sent from God.
3. He was a man sent from God to bear witness of the Light.
You keep these three things in mind when replying to my posts as well as communicating with other preachers [pastors, evangelists, missionaries, etc.], you will see God bless you so much more greatly due to your Biblical respect for this calling. That is my challenge to you today.
Teaching educates, preaching edified.
Teaching informs, preaching inspires.
Teaching communicates, preaching challenges.